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Burke Shines in Pro Debut as Black Bears Edge Port Huron in Shootout October 17, 2026 | ||
Posted by: Bob Howard Credit: BinghamtonHockey.net | ||
October 17, 2026 - by Bob Howard
Making his professional debut between the pipes for the Binghamton Black Bears, Burke stopped all three shooters in the shootout to help the Black Bears earn a 2-1 victory over the Port Huron Prowlers Saturday night at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena. The win completed a two-game weekend sweep of Port Huron and improved Binghamton to 3-0-0 to open the 2026-27 season. The Prowlers, playing their first two games of the season on consecutive nights in Binghamton, left the weekend with one point. After Friday night's 6-1 Black Bears victory, Saturday's rematch proved to be a much tighter contest. The teams battled through 65 minutes of hockey tied at one before CJ Stubbs delivered the decisive shootout goal. First Period: Burke and MacLean Keep It ScorelessBinghamton controlled much of the opening period, outshooting Port Huron 13-6, but neither team could find the back of the net. The Prowlers' Brett Morich was assessed both slashing and roughing minors at 5:01, giving the Black Bears an early opportunity to test Andrew MacLean. Binghamton's Cheechoo Lathlin was later called for hooking at 10:13, while Port Huron's Reggie Milette received a goalie-interference minor at 14:02. Despite the shot advantage, the Black Bears were unable to convert their opportunities. Burke also kept Port Huron off the scoreboard in his first professional period, and the teams headed to the first intermission locked in a scoreless game. Second Period: Prowlers Strike First, Gorman Answers on the Power PlayPort Huron broke through at 4:33 of the second period when Jamie Bucell scored, assisted by Alex Johnson, giving the Prowlers a 1-0 lead. The middle frame featured a parade to the penalty box, with both teams struggling to establish consistent momentum. Binghamton's CJ Stubbs was called for slashing at 5:47, followed by a slashing minor to Sam Dabrowski at 8:02. Later, at 12:24, Port Huron's Luke James was called for hooking while Binghamton's Gehrett Sargis received a slashing minor. The Black Bears also took a bench minor for too many men at 14:01, served by Eric Neilley. Despite the parade of penalties and a 16-4 Port Huron advantage in shots for the period, Binghamton found its equalizer late in the frame. At 17:39, Chance Gorman scored on the power play, with Sam Dabrowski and CJ Stubbs recording the assists to tie the game at 1-1. The goal gave the Black Bears new life heading into the third period, although Port Huron had generated the bulk of the offensive chances in the middle frame. Third Period: Neither Team Finds the WinnerWith the game tied at one, both teams looked for the go-ahead goal in the third period, but Burke and MacLean continued to turn aside the chances they faced. Port Huron's Matt Graham was assessed a slashing minor at 10:46, followed by a high-sticking penalty to Timothy Organ at 13:00. Binghamton had opportunities to capitalize, but the Black Bears could not find another goal. The teams combined for 18 shots in the period, with Binghamton holding a 10-8 edge. Neither side broke through, sending the game to overtime with the score still tied 1-1. Overtime: Black Bears Come Up EmptyThe extra period provided both teams another opportunity to end the contest, but the goaltenders remained in control. Port Huron's Austin Fetterly was called for slashing at 1:16, giving Binghamton a power-play opportunity in overtime. The Black Bears were unable to convert, however, and neither team found the winning goal during the five-minute period. Binghamton recorded four shots in overtime, while Port Huron managed five, but the game required a shootout to determine a winner. Shootout: Stubbs Delivers, Burke Closes the DoorThe shootout began with Port Huron's Alex Johnson missing the net, followed by a miss from Binghamton's Chance Gorman. Reggie Milette also failed to convert for the Prowlers, leaving the shootout scoreless after the first two rounds. Stubbs stepped up for Binghamton and delivered the decisive moment, beating MacLean to give the Black Bears a 1-0 advantage in the shootout. With the game on his stick, Austin Fetterly needed to score to keep Port Huron alive. Burke had other plans, stopping Fetterly to secure the shootout victory and complete a memorable professional debut. After 65 minutes of hockey and three unsuccessful Port Huron shootout attempts, Burke had the final say, stopping all three Prowlers shooters. Special Teams and Weekend ResultsBinghamton finished 1-for-8 on the power play, with Gorman's second-period goal providing the Black Bears' lone conversion. Port Huron went 0-for-4 with the man advantage. The Black Bears finished with 31 shots on goal, while Port Huron recorded 35. Despite being outshot, Binghamton found a way to earn the victory behind a composed performance from its debuting goaltender. The result gave Binghamton a 3-0-0 record to begin the season and kept the Black Bears atop the Atlantic Division. Port Huron, meanwhile, dropped its first two games of the campaign, earning one point from the weekend after Saturday's shootout loss. The Black Bears and Prowlers split no points in Friday's regulation result, but Saturday's extra-time battle gave Binghamton another win and provided Burke with a professional debut to remember. |
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